SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERS 2023

School Principal: Greg Sampson   President: Jennie Hauselberger 

 Vice President: Josh Cook Treasurer: Peter Down  DET Rep: Sandra Gove   Secretary: Duanne Corbett Vice Secretary: Hannah Young

Parent Reps: Radmila Lindner, Chris Avery, Isaac Eldridge, Erin Wallace.

Dimboola Primary School would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Wimmera Mallee area:

the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk peoples, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Thanks to the many parents and carers who attended Teacher Student and Parent interviews on Monday 6th March. We had a high participation rate (90%) which speaks volumes about the connection that you want to make with your child’s teacher and provides a wonderful springboard moving forward. I also acknowledge the work of the classroom teachers in teaching, then interviewing until 6:30 last night. At the end of the day, they walked away pleased with the level of communication but a little hoarse in the throat. For families who were unable to attend the interview, I encourage you to contact your child’s teacher to find a mutually convenient time for an interview.

Congratulations to Giselle, Jack and Ella on representing the school at the Little Desert Swimming Carnival on Thursday 2nd March. All students performed well, with Giselle qualifying to compete at the Greater Western Region Swimming Carnival in Horsham on Tuesday 14th March. Their results from the Little Desert Competition were:

Our school council consists of 11 members. Seven are parents representatives, three are school employees and one is a community representative (optional). Each school council representative is on school council for a two-year term unless there is a casual vacancy created by a departure earlier than the completion of the two-year term. This year we have four vacancies on school council for the parent representative section. As mentioned, this is for a two-year term of office. School council meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month with a minimum of eight meetings held per year.

Nomination forms are included in this newsletter and close on Friday 10th March 2023. Forms should be returned to the office. The school council provides support to the principal and school largely on matters of policy, finances, buildings and grounds and are an invaluable sounding board for school direction.

Guiding Principles of Dimboola Primary School School Council

Whilst operating within the Education Act and Regulations, Dimboola Primary School Council has resolved that it will observe the following principles:

• Always act within the best interests of the school and adhere to the expectation of confidentiality

• The primary focus of all decisions will be the learning needs of students

• Major policy decisions will involve school community consultation

• Council members will honour and support decisions made at properly constituted council meetings

• Council members will respect the principal’s right to implement policy

• Council members will be given the opportunity to be trained regarding their responsibilities, current school practices and Departmental policies and directions

• Only the president and / or principal have the authority to comment publicly on behalf of this school council

• Decisions of school council will be publicly justifiable

• Councillors will declare a conflict of interest where appropriate.

You can be nominated by another parent or you can self-nominate. Nomination forms can be returned by your child or dropped off at the front office. Nomination close on Friday 10th March at 4:00pm. Please drop the form off at the office at your earliest convenience.

Students in all classes participated in a basketball clinic conducted by Basketball Victoria through the Positive Start Program. Students develop skills in ball handling, dribbling and defensive work. Thanks to Basketball Victoria for their support within our school.

Students in Years 3 and 5 will be involved in NAPLAN testing starting from Wednesday next week. Most of the testing will be completed online except for writing for the Year 3 students. Students’ skills will be assessed in the areas of writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy. Students who miss assessments on certain days will be provided with catch up opportunities in the future.

I understand that for some students this may be a time of stress and I recommend that you spend some time with them reading through strategies suggested by psychologist Andrew Fuller contained in this newsletter.

Some of his key points include:

· Everyone feels stress, often this allows you to perform at your best level.

· Writing out your worries – consider those things that you are worried about

· Focus on now – making predictions of what might happen in the future are usually wrong

· Breathe out slowly – when you breathe out count one thousand, two thousand and three thousand

· Stand tall and walk proud

· Look after yourself by eating well and drinking water and get plenty of sleep

· Learning to control your anxiety

Dimboola Primary Staff joined with a range of other schools including DMSC to consider a learning approach to support the whole child. We learnt about positive primers, brain breaks, having students identify their strengths and the values they hold. We anticipate that strategies presented will be implemented gradually into our teaching programs. Thanks to DMSC and Mrs Klinge for hosting this event, it was highly engaging and thought provoking.

Parents and carers are advised that there are some cases of gastroenteritis being reported. Please keep children at home if they are showing any symptoms.

Student safety at Dimboola Primary School is our highest priority and the safe and appropriate supervision of students is an important element of our duty of care to students. Part of this duty is ensuring parents and students are aware of our student supervision arrangements before and after school.

Before school: School grounds are supervised at 8:30 am

After school: School grounds are supervised 3:25 pm.

Students on school grounds outside these times will not be supervised (unless they are attending a before or after school care program or supervised extracurricular activity).

Parents/carers are requested to ensure that students do not attend school outside of these supervised times unless they are attending before or after school care, or a pre-arranged supervised activity (i.e. sports practice).

For a copy of our school’s Yard Duty and Supervision Policy through the Dimboola Primary School Website or contact the school office. This policy includes Dimboola Primary School’s student supervision arrangements across the school day, including before and after school.

School fees for 2022 for essential education items are to be $125. This pays for your son/daughter to have books, pencils, glue sticks, scissors, photocopying. This is a voluntary payment

A $40 cultural performance fee, per child, for 2023 is required for your child to participate in the performance. Those that do not pay up front will be asked to pay per performance of $10.00. Those who do not pay will not attend.

Fees paid in full by the last day of Term One, will go into a draw with one lucky winner, to receive a $125 IGA voucher.

Due to New Department Regulations we have changed banks.

Below is a copy of our new account details

BSB -  063 000

Account Number -  14162144

Thank you 

Please call into the office if you require a form to fill out

Thank you 

The Grade 3/4 School Camp this year will be held at Cave Hill Creek in Beaufort during Term 4.

It is a 2 night camp from Wednesday 1st - Friday 3rd November

 Information has been sent home with children,  with a payment plan and dates for all families involved.

Thanks Fiona. S and Peter.D

We have a large number of covid test kits that are due to expire soon, if anyone is wanting some please come and see the office.

With school returning it would be a timely reminder to all that:

o Drivers need to give way at school crossings until the pedestrians are well clear of the crossing

o Park in designated spots so as not to create ‘black spots’ for other drivers

o The ‘Kiss and Drop Zone’ at the front of the school is for a quick drop off or pick up.

o Obey the 40kmh speed limits around the school.

o There is a large ‘drop off’ zone in Wimmera Street that has a gate to allow children to walk across the big oval if it is too congested at the front or back of school.

o Bike riders will dismount from their bikes at the front gate (Hindmarsh Street) or the back gate (Church St) and wheel their bikes to the racks.

o Please assist with the education of your child by using the school crossing. Near misses have occurred due to people taking short cuts.

o Bike/scooter riders are to dismount prior to using the school crossings.

Bus travelling students will attend a reminder meeting regarding bus travel. Following this, they will be issued with a permission notice which will need to be completed. This outlines rules of bus travel. It is my hope that all children will follow the rules outlined to keep everyone safe travelling to and from school.

Competition starts on  Monday March  7th and closes on Friday 30th March. Raffle  Winners will be announced in the Newsletter on Tuesday of the last week of Term.

There is a small prize for each Grade level.

 Foundation to 6 for the colouring.

Also  6 raffle tickets will be drawn as well

 to collect an Easter prize !

 Cost  50 cents for 1 colouring sheet and 1 raffle ticket.

Or  $1.00 for 2 raffle tickets and 2 colouring sheets.

( please run this until the 31st March )

Term 1- Harmony Day 21st March- wear a touch of orange.

 ( free dress orange or school uniform and a touch of Orange)

This is to promote world wide harmony and Diversity recognition in our schools and Community.

Please wear your school uniform with a touch of orange or free dress in orange only.

Each class will touch on Harmony day during this week with their teacher.

This is part of JSC Fun days.  There is no cost.

Just come with some Crazy hair or a moustache !

Friday 28th April ( 1st Week of Term 2 )

Camp Grade 3/ 4 _ Reminder 1st Payment due please for Cavehill Creek Camp.

1st payment- due  20th March- Week 8 Term 1- $100 or Pay the full amount if you wish $400.

Could lunch orders please be clearly labelled with the correct teacher/class 

 It needs to be easily read and placed in the correct lunch order tubs.

Lunch wallets are available in the office to purchase for $10, otherwise feel free to use an envelope or a brown paper bag.

Thank you.

Monday 13th March – Labour Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 14th March – Stawell West Primary Staff visiting Grade 2 – 6 classes to look into the use of mentor texts

Wednesday 15th March – NAPLAN Testing commences

Wednesday 15th March – School Council 6:30 pm

Tuesday 21st March – Harmony Day wear something orange and MATES Mentoring Launch

Wednesday 22nd March – AFL Football clinics for some grades

Wednesday 5th April – Dimboola Primary School Athletics Carnival

Thursday 6th April – Hot Dog and Easter Egg Hunt - End of Term 1 2:15 pm dismissal

Monday 24th April – Start of Term 2

Tuesday 25th April – ANZAC Day Public Holiday